Artificial blocks oe beiges



(No Model.) v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

A. BALL. MACHINE FOB, PRESSING ARTIFICIAL BLOGKS 0R BRICKS, 820.

Patented Apr. 8, 1884.

' U-Ecegk.

aruruwiwv 4 Sheets Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

A. BALL.

MAGHINE FOR PRESSING ARTIFICIAL BLOCKS 0R 131mm; &0.

Patented Ap'1*;8, 1884.

5km: $6. m; CUM

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

- A. BALL.

MAGHINB FOR PRESSING ARTIFICIAL BLOCKS 0R BRIGKS, &o..

Patented Apr. 8, 1884.

(No Model.) 4 Sheetv-Sheef 4. A. BALL.

MAGHINE PORPRESS'I'NG ARTIFICIAL BLOCKS 0R BRICKS? &c. No. 296,507. Patented pr. 8, 1884.

L lllllllllfl 7 UNITED STATES Parana Grains.

ALBERT BALL, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO THE SUL LIVAN MAGHINECOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FORPRESSING ARTlFlClAL BLOCKS OR BRlCKS, 8&0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 296,507, dated April 8, 1884.

Application filed April 11, 1833. (No model.)

To 60% whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERTBALL, of Claremont, in the county of Sullivan and State of New Hampshire, have invented a new and Improved Press or Machine for Pressing Artificial Blocks or Bricks or Tiles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon. 1 My invention relates to improvements in poweupresses for making compressed blocks or bricks or tile of asphalt and stone, or of any other suitable material; and it consists of important improvements, whereby breakages in the machines as heretofore made are avoided, and the machines are enabled to work evenly and without undue strain or jar. In making the blocks in question, it is often desirable to have apressure of upward of fifty tons exerted on each block, andto manufacture them profitably the press must be capable of being driven at a speed of ten revolutions (or ten blocks produced) per minute.

My invention consists, first, in providing a substantial plate or bed-piece resting upon a nuniberof heav y springsQpr-eferably steel coils) for the lower bearing of the toggle-joint which gives the pressure; second, in the connection of the driving-gears and cams and levers at tached thereto by an equalizing-bar, so that the driving gear, cams, and levers shall work i absolutely together and without strain or jar;

third, in the use of an air-cushion in connection with the main toggle, for the purpose of. avoiding the ill eiiect of the heavy blow which succeeds the impression when the toggle is carried beyond theline of pressure; fourth, in theuse of two springs, (preferably coil springs,)

one against each section of the toggle, which,

while not stiff enough to prevent the blow which is received on the air-cushion, are sufficiently stiff to carry the toggle at the proper time back against the main driving-cam and into its original position in place to make another impression; fifth, in the use of an aircushion in connection with the plunger, whereby the plunger is caught in its descent at any desired distance after it has discharged the block, and all pounding is thereby avoided; sixth, in passing steam through the top plate of the machine, whereby the mold can be economically kept hot and at the temperature at which the asphalt or other material can be worked to the best advantage; seventh, in making that part of the sliding head through which the material to be pressed (or charge) passes into the mold in two sections in such manner that the joint is parallel with the throat. In this way I greatly strengthen the sliding head, and the parts can be easily brought to a finish.

To enable those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains to know how to make and use the same, I will proceed to describe the construction and operation of the several parts of the machine, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a longitudinal front section. Fig. 2. is a longitudinal side section. Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal rear section, showing the two air-cushions, the gears, 850., for regulating the drop of the plunger, thetwo springs which return the toggle after the impression, and parts of the toggle and plunger. Fig. 4: is a top sectional view of the sliding head, equalizing-bar, and upper ends of levers. Fig. 5 is a front sectional view of the levers, cams, fulerumshaft, equalizing-bar, and connection with sliding head.

Like letters denote corresponding parts in each figure.

The bed-plate A,with the side frames, a a c a, and top piece, a, all of which are held firmly together by four heavy rods, cf a a a consti- 85 tute the frame of the machine. The togglebeam B, by means of the post I), bears directly on the spring-plate or bed-piece G, which plate rests upon the springs c c c c 0. These springs set upon the spring-beams D D 11 0 Bolts at (Z (Z hold these beams to the main frame, and by shortening them the tension on the springs is increased. These springs can rest on the frame or bed-plate of the machine,

but I prefer to have them (either all or almost 9 5 all of them) below this frame upon heavyiron cross-beams. These cross-beams are held by bolts to the frame, and by screwing up or unscrewing the nuts which hold the beams the pressure which the plate will sustain without :00 yielding is increased or diminished. In case the charge or amount of material in the mold and to be compressed is, for any reason, such that the desired pressure cannot reduce it to the usual size, the springs below the .105 plate yield with only a proportionate increase of pressure, and there is no undue strain or breakage, as in case of the absence of springs, or in caseof springs and lever. If preferred, it can be so arranged that the plate and springs will have any desired play or yield with each compression. One object of such yield is to mark blocks which are small, and I have in vented a method of doing this for which I intend hereafter to apply for Letters Patent.

Upon the toggle-beam B rests the togglejoint, (of which the lowerpart is marked E and upper part E,) and 011L116 top of the partE is placed the plunger F, by which the impression is given, as shown on Figs. 1 and 2, which represent the machine at the time of giving the impression, and when the toggle-beam, joint, and plunger are all in line. The movement is given to the toggle by the cam G, which is carried on the shaft 6, on which are the main gear-wheelsff, which are driven by the gear-wheels g g. The mold h, which holds the charge, is at the time of the impression covered by the sliding head H. After the impression is made a release is given by forcing the toggle E E beyond the straight line, which is done by the continued movement of the cam G. After the toggle is carried beyondthe straight line the pressure continues themovement. This movement is limited and rendered noiseless by the air-cushion I. The springs i and j also receive the several parts of the toggle E and E, and after they arebrought to astate of rest these springs force them back against the cam G. The release on the charge being thus given the sliding head II is moved so as to uncover the mold and charge. This movement of the sliding head is effected by means of the two cams J J, attached to the gear-wheels f j, which cams move two side levers, K K, the upper ends of which levers are attached to the equalizing-bar L, to which is attached the connection Z, and to which is attached the sliding head. These levers work upon the fulcrumshaft m, one lever being splined thereto, while the other is free to move on the fulcrum-shaft, being securely held by the brace m. These braces m m are attached to each lever on the shaft to hold the levers in place and avoid twisting.

The equalizingbar is attached to each lever by a ball-and-socketjoint. The advantage of this attachment is that no imperfection or wear in the cams affects the uniform work of the two cams in moving the sliding head. The mold being uncovered, the charge or block which has been pressed is forced upward and just pressed out of the way. The plunger thereupon drops and is caught by the aircushio'n O, which regulates the fall and moveinent. mold will receive is regulated by the aid of this air-cushion, the drop of the plunger, whose top carries the bottom plate of the mold, being increased or diminished by raising or lowering the piston of this cushion. This is done by a nut-gear, 0, and yoke P. The nut-gear is revolved by hand-wheel p or other convenient arrangement.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the sliding head with hopper attached.

The back of the throat to the hopper N is a separate piece from the sliding head, and is screwed or bolted to the back of the same, so

that in the process of its manufacture the parts can be planed and polished, and the front part of the throat of the hopper forms a stiffener to the sliding head.

Through openings 1) p in the top piece, a, of the machine are introduced currents of steam, (hot air or hot water or other heating substance will answer the same end,) whereby the mold and sliding head are brought to the desired temperature.

Heretofore the absence of such method has rendered the working of the presses more or less imperfect until heated by the material used or by application of external heat.

Having described my invention, what I de sire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a press, the combination of a bed-piece, groups of supporting-springs under said bedpiece, and a togglejoint lever resting at one end upon said bed-piece and carrying a plunger at the other end, the several parts being constructed substantially as described, and arranged in the same vertical plane.

2. The eombination,with the sliding head H and the levers K K, of the equalizing-bar L, centrally pivoted to an extension of said sliding head, and connecting at its outer ends with levers K K by means of ball-and-socket joints, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. a

3. In a press, the combination, with the toggle-joint, of an air-cushion, I, and the two springs j, the latter arranged one against each sectionof the toggle-joint, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 4

4. In a press, the combination of an aircushion, O, with the plunger, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a press, the combination of an air cushion, O, and the piston thereof, the nut gear 0, yoke P, and plunger, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a press, the combination, with the hopper, of a separate extension secured to the sliding head, and forming the back of the throat both of the hopper and sliding block, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\Vitnesses: ALBERT BALL.

FRANK A. BALL, HERMON HOLT.

The amount of the niaterialwhieh the IIO 

